In OHTN follow-up, how long after starting a medication for elevated intraocular pressure should the patient typically return for re-evaluation?

In OHTN follow-up, how long after starting a medication for elevated intraocular pressure should the patient typically return for re-evaluation?

• A. One week
• B. Four weeks
• C. Three to six months
• D. Twelve months

Answer: (B)

When you start a medication to lower intraocular pressure, you want to confirm how well it’s working and how the patient tolerates it fairly soon after beginning treatment. Most topical IOP-lowering meds show a meaningful effect within about a month, so rechecking around four weeks allows you to see the true response, verify that the target pressure is being approached, and assess adherence and any side effects. If the reduction is insufficient or there are tolerability issues, you can adjust the regimen promptly. Waiting only a week might miss the full effect, and delaying re-evaluation for several months or a year risks ongoing elevated IOP or adverse effects without timely management.

When you start a medication to lower intraocular pressure, you want to confirm how well it’s working and how the patient tolerates it fairly soon after beginning treatment. Most topical IOP-lowering meds show a meaningful effect within about a month, so rechecking around four weeks allows you to see the true response, verify that the target pressure is being approached, and assess adherence and any side effects. If the reduction is insufficient or there are tolerability issues, you can adjust the regimen promptly. Waiting only a week might miss the full effect, and delaying re-evaluation for several months or a year risks ongoing elevated IOP or adverse effects without timely management.